U.S. patent application number 13/715219 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-19 for surgical saw blade.
This patent application is currently assigned to SYNTHES USA, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is SYNTHES USA, LLC. Invention is credited to Eddy H. delRio, David Narducci.
Application Number | 20140171950 13/715219 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49884935 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140171950 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
delRio; Eddy H. ; et
al. |
June 19, 2014 |
Surgical Saw Blade
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a surgical cutting device
configured to drive a removable surgical saw blade in oscillating
rotation. The saw blade is held within the cutting device at a
holding member and a clamping member and removeabley attached to a
drive plate.
Inventors: |
delRio; Eddy H.; (Palm Beach
Gardens, FL) ; Narducci; David; (Lake Worth,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SYNTHES USA, LLC |
West Chester |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SYNTHES USA, LLC
West Chester
PA
|
Family ID: |
49884935 |
Appl. No.: |
13/715219 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/82 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23B 31/185 20130101;
A61B 17/14 20130101; B23B 31/1261 20130101; B23D 59/002 20130101;
A61B 17/142 20161101; B23D 35/005 20130101; A61B 17/32 20130101;
B23B 31/18 20130101; B23D 35/002 20130101; B23B 31/19 20130101;
A61B 17/32002 20130101; A61B 2017/320028 20130101; B27B 19/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/82 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/14 20060101
A61B017/14 |
Claims
1. A surgical saw apparatus comprising: a holding member including
an outer surface and an elongated slot open at a first end, wherein
the elongated slot includes spaced apart elongated sides, a holding
surface extending between the elongated sides, and an end surface
at a second end, opposite the first end of the elongated slot; a
clamping member having a clamping surface disposed adjacent the
elongated slot and movable within the elongated slot; a releasing
pin having a first end, rigidly attached to the clamping member and
slidably attached to the holding member, a second end disposed away
from the clamping member and the holding member, and an axis
extending between the first and second ends; wherein moving the
releasing pin relative to the holding member, in a releasing
direction, parallel to the axis of the releasing pin, moves the
clamping surface away from the holding surface.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: a housing;
and a sleeve holding the releasing pin to slide parallel to the
axis of the releasing pin, wherein the sleeve is mounted within the
housing to rotate about the axis of the releasing pin.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus additionally
includes a cross pin, rigidly attached to the first end of the
releasing pin to extend perpendicular to the axis of the releasing
pin, the clamping member additionally includes a round hole, the
cross pin extends through the round hole to attach the clamping
member to the releasing pin, the holding member additionally
includes a slotted hole, slotted in a direction parallel to the
axis of the releasing pin, and the cross pin extends through the
slotted hole to slidably attach the holding member to the releasing
pin.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the releasing pin additionally
includes an outwardly-extending flange facing opposite the
releasing direction, the second end of the releasing pin extends
beyond the sleeve; the sleeve additionally includes an
inwardly-extending flange facing in the releasing direction, and
the apparatus additionally comprises a compression spring extending
between the outwardly-extending flange of the releasing pin and the
inward-extending flange of the sleeve.
5. A surgical saw apparatus comprising: a housing; a drive plate; a
holding member mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation, wherein
the holding member is held within an engaged position to rotate
with the drive plate, and wherein the holding member is
additionally movable into a released position to rotate
independently from the drive plate; a clamping member mounted to
rotate with the holding member about the axis of rotation, wherein
the clamping member is held on the holding member in a clamping
position, wherein the clamping member is movable away from the
holding member into an open position, wherein the holding member
and the clamping member in the clamping position form an elongated
slot, having an open end, for holding a shank of the surgical saw
blade having a blade portion extending outward from the open end of
the elongated slot, and wherein the holding member and the clamping
member in the clamping position form an elongated slot for
releasing the shank of a surgical saw blade for removal through the
open end of the elongated slot; and a releasing pin holding the
holding member in the engaged position while additionally holding
the clamping member in the engaged position, wherein the releasing
pin is movable into a released position, wherein the releasing pin
in the releasing position holds the holding member in the released
position and the clamping member in the open position.
6. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 5, additionally comprising:
a motor; a drive shaft, rotationally driven by the motor; an
eccentric shaft disposed at an end of the drive shaft; and a
roller, rotatably mounted on the eccentric shaft, wherein the drive
plate additionally includes spaced-apart contact surfaces engaging
opposite sides of the roller to drive the drive plate in
oscillating rotation.
7. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 5, wherein the apparatus
additionally comprises a handle portion extending outwardly from
the axis of rotation in a direction perpendicular to the axis of
rotation, and the holding member is can be engaged with the drive
plate at a plurality of different angles about the axis of
rotation, whereby the holding member can be caused to be driven in
oscillating rotation through a plurality of different angles about
the axis of rotation relative to the handle portion.
8. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 7, wherein the drive plate
includes a plurality of grooves, disposed in a circular pattern
about the axis of rotation, and the holding member includes a
plurality of teeth, disposed in a circular pattern about the axis
of rotation, held within the grooves with the holding member in the
engaged position, and moved away from the grooves with the holding
member in the released position.
9. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 7, wherein the drive plate
includes a central hole having an inward-extending flange, facing
opposite the releasing direction, the releasing pin extends through
the central hole of the drive plate from a first end of the
releasing pin, operatively connected to the holding member and to
the clamping member, to a second end, outwardly disposed from the
drive plate and from the housing, the releasing pin includes an
outward-extending flange, facing in the releasing direction, the
apparatus additionally comprises, and the releasing pin is moved
into the released position by moving the second end of the
releasing pin the releasing direction.
10. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus
additionally includes a cross pin, rigidly attached to the first
end of the releasing pin to extend perpendicular to the axis of the
releasing pin, the clamping member additionally includes a round
hole, the cross pin extends through the round hole to attach the
clamping member to the releasing pin, the holding member
additionally includes a slotted hole, slotted in a direction
parallel to the axis of the releasing pin, and the cross pin
extends through the slotted hole to slidably attach the holding
member to the releasing pin.
11. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 7, wherein the elongated
slot open at one end is formed by a slot within the holding member,
and the clamping member includes a clamping surface held within the
slot within the holding member with the clamping member in the
clamping position.
12. A surgical saw apparatus comprising. a surgical saw blade; a
housing; a drive plate, mounted in the housing to rotate about an
axis of rotation, driven in oscillating rotation, having a groove
radially displaced from the axis of rotation; and a holding member,
releasably holding the surgical saw blade and including a tooth
extending toward the drive plate, where the holding member is
mounted in the housing to rotate about the axis of rotation, to
slide along the axis of rotation in a releasing direction from an
engaged position, in which the tooth is held within the groove to a
released position, in which the tooth is held away from the groove,
and opposite the releasing direction.
13. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 12, wherein the drive plate
additionally includes a plurality of grooves arranged in a first
circular pattern, the holding member additionally includes a
plurality of teeth arranged in a second circular pattern, the drive
plate and the holding member are brought together at a plurality of
different angles relative to one another about the axis of
rotation, with the holding member in the engaged position, and all
of the teeth and grooves are spaced apart from one another with the
holding member in the released position.
14. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 13, wherein the drive plate
includes a central hole coaxial with the axis of rotation having an
inward-extending flange facing opposite the releasing direction.
the apparatus additionally includes a releasing pin, extending
along the axis of rotation between a first end, operatively
connected to the holding member to move the holding member in the
releasing direction and opposite the releasing direction and a
second end extending outward from the drive plate and from the
housing, the releasing pin extending through the central hole
within the drive plate, and the releasing pin including an
outward-extending flange facing in the releasing direction, the
apparatus additionally includes a compression spring, extending
around the releasing pin between the inward-extending flange of the
drive plate and the outward-extending flange of the releasing pin,
the compression spring applies a force holding the holding member
in engagement with the driving member to the outward-extending
flange of the releasing pin, wherein the holding member is moved
into the released position by pushing the second end of the
releasing pin in the releasing direction.
15. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 14, wherein the holding
member additionally includes an elongated slot, open at a first end
and including spaced apart elongated sides, a holding surface,
extending between the elongated sides, and an end surface at a
second end, opposite the first end of the slot, the apparatus
additionally includes a clamping member having a clamping surface
disposed adjacent the elongated slot and movable within the
elongated slot, the first end of the of the releasing pin is
operatively connected to the clamping member, the compression
spring applies a force pulling the clamping surface toward the
holding surface to the outward-extending flange of the releasing
pin, and the clamping surface is moved away from the holding
surface by pushing the second end of the releasing pin the
releasing direction.
16. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus
additionally includes a cross pin, rigidly attached to the first
end of the releasing pin to extend perpendicular to the axis of the
releasing pin, the clamping member additionally includes a round
hole, the cross pin extends through the round hole to attach the
clamping member to the releasing pin, the holding member
additionally includes a slotted hole, slotted in a direction
parallel to the axis of the releasing pin, and the cross pin
extends through the slotted hole to slidably attach the holding
member to the releasing pin.
17. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 15, wherein the surgical
saw blade includes an elongated shank at a proximal end of the
surgical saw blade, having peripheral surfaces, including parallel
elongated straight side surfaces and a proximal end surface,
fitting within the elongated slot of the holding member, the
elongated shank of the surgical saw blade is held within the
elongated slot of the holding member by a force transmitted through
the releasing pin from the compression spring to hold the clamping
member against the elongated shank of the surgical saw blade, the
surgical saw blade additionally includes a blade portion extending
outwardly from the elongated shank to a distal end of the surgical
saw blade, wherein the distal end of the saw blade includes a
plurality of outwardly facing saw teeth disposed along an arcuate
line forming an arc about an arc axis coaxial with the axis of the
releasing pin with the elongated shank of the saw blade held within
the elongated slot of the holding member, and the elongated shank
of the surgical saw blade is released from the elongated slot of
the holding member by pushing the second end of the releasing pin
in the releasing direction.
18. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 17, wherein the elongated
shank of the surgical saw blade additionally comprises a first
aperture disposed midway between the parallel elongated straight
side surfaces of the elongated shank, the clamping member
additionally includes a first lug, disposed midway between the
elongated sides of the elongated slot within the holding member, to
extend opposite the releasing direction from the clamping surface
into the first aperture with the elongated shank of the saw blade
held within the elongated slot of the holding member, the first lug
is held within the first aperture by force transmitted through the
releasing pin from the compression spring to hold the clamping
member against the elongated shank of the surgical saw blade, and
the first lug is removed from the first aperture by pushing the end
of the releasing pin in the releasing direction.
19. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first lug
includes a locating surface, facing the end surface of the slot,
extending perpendicular to the clamping surface, and a slanted
surface extending at an oblique angle from the clamping surface to
an edge of the locating surface.
20. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 18, wherein the elongated
shank of the surgical saw blade additionally comprises a second
aperture, spaced apart from the first aperture and disposed midway
between the parallel elongated straight side surfaces of the
elongated shank, the clamping member additionally includes a second
lug, disposed midway between the elongated sides of the elongated
slot within the holding member, to extend opposite the releasing
direction from the clamping surface into the second aperture with
the elongated shank of the saw blade held within the elongated slot
of the holding member, the second lug is held within the second
aperture by force transmitted through the releasing pin from the
compression spring to hold the clamping member against the
elongated shank of the surgical saw blade, and the second lug is
removed from the second aperture by pushing the end of the
releasing pin in the releasing direction
21. The surgical saw apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first and
second lugs each include a locating surface, facing the end surface
of the slot, extending perpendicular to the clamping surface, and a
slanted surface extending at an oblique angle from the clamping
surface to an edge of the locating surface.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally to powered surgical cutting
devices and, more particularly, to devices including a saw blade
driven through rotational oscillations.
BACKGROUND
[0002] During a surgical procedure, a surgeon may use a motorized
saw for cutting bone and other tissue. Such systems generally
include a replaceable blade mounted to a drive mechanism. To
prevent trauma to the patient and in an attempt to reduce damage to
surrounding tissue, the surgeon orients the saw blade within the
patient at particular angle during the cutting operation. Current
systems do not provide saw blades that are fixed to the drive
mechanism and to not provide for efficient orientation of the blade
within the patient. Therefore, a need in the art exists for a
device that provides for the orientation of the saw blade with
respect to the drive mechanism that is both efficient and reduces
patient trauma.
SUMMARY
[0003] Presented are systems and methods for a surgical cutting
device including a saw blade driven through rotational
oscillations. An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a
surgical saw apparatus including a holding member, a clamping
member and a releasing pin. The holding member may include an outer
surface and an elongated slot open at a first end, wherein the
elongated slot includes spaced apart elongated sides, a holding
surface extending between the elongated sides, and an end surface
at a second end, opposite the first end of the slot. The clamping
member may include a clamping surface disposed adjacent the
elongated slot and movable within the elongated slot. The releasing
pin may include a first end, rigidly attached to the clamping
member and slidably attached to the holding member, a second end
disposed away from the clamping member and the holding member, and
an axis extending between the first and second ends. Moving the
releasing pin relative to the holding member, in a releasing
direction, parallel to the axis of the releasing pin, may move the
clamping surface away from the holding surface.
[0004] Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a
surgical saw apparatus including a housing, a drive plate, a
holding member, a clamping member and a releasing pin. The holding
member may be mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation, where
the holding member may be held within an engaged position to rotate
with the drive plate. The holding member may additionally be
movable into a released position to rotate independently from the
drive plate. The clamping member may be mounted to rotate with the
holding member about the axis of rotation and may also be held on
the holding member in a clamping position. The clamping member may
be movable away from the holding member into an open position,
wherein the holding member and the clamping member in the clamping
position form an elongated slot, having an open end, for holding a
shank of a surgical saw blade having a blade portion extending
outward from the open end of the elongated slot. The holding member
and the clamping member in the clamping position may form an
elongated slot for releasing the shank of a surgical saw blade for
removal through the open end of the elongated slot. The releasing
pin may hold the holding member in the engaged position while
additionally holding the clamping member in the engaged position.
The releasing pin may be movable into a released position, wherein
the releasing pin in the releasing position holds the holding
member in the released position and the clamping member in the open
position.
[0005] A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a
surgical saw apparatus including a surgical saw blade, a housing, a
drive plate and a holding member. The drive plate may be mounted in
the housing to rotate about an axis of rotation and driven in
oscillating rotation. The drive play may have a groove radially
displaced from the axis of rotation. The holding member may be
releasably hold the surgical saw blade. The holding member may
include a tooth extending toward the drive plate. The holding
member may be mounted in the housing to rotate about an axis of
rotation and may slide along the axis of rotation in a releasing
direction from an engaged position, in which the tooth is held
within the groove to a released portion, in which the tooth is held
away from the groove, and opposite the releasing direction.
[0006] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are
set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below.
Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] The device is explained in even greater detail in the
following drawings. The drawings are merely examples to illustrate
the structure of preferred devices and certain features that may be
used singularly or in combination with other features. The
invention should not be limited to the examples shown.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a right side elevation of a surgical cutting
device built in accordance with the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a drive head within the surgical
cutting device of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the drive head of
FIG. 2, taken as indicated by section lines 3-3 in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a first cross-sectional right side elevation of
the drive head of FIG. 2, taken as indicated by section lines 4-4
therein to show a blade holding mechanism therein in an open
position with a locking mechanism therein in a released
position;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a second cross-sectional right side elevation of
the drive head of FIG. 2, additionally taken as indicated by
section lines 4-4 to show the blade holding mechanism in a clamping
position with the locking mechanism therein in an engaged
position;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drive head of FIG. 2,
showing elements therein in an exploded relationship with one
another;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a holding member within the
drive head of FIG. 2, shown as viewed from above;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a clamping member within the
drive head of FIG. 2, shown as viewed from below;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a surgical saw blade within the
surgical cutting device of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the surgical saw blade of
FIG. 9;
[0018] FIG. 11 is an end elevation of the surgical saw blade of
FIG. 9;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a first alternative surgical saw blade for use in
the surgical cutting device of FIG. 1; and
[0020] FIG. 13 is a second alternative surgical saw blade for use
in the surgical cutting device of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Certain terminology is used in the following description for
convenience only and is not limiting. The words "right", "left",
"lower", and "upper" designate direction in the drawings to which
reference is made. The words "inner", "outer" refer to directions
toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the
described feature or device. The words "distal" and "proximal"
refer to directions taken in context of the item described and,
with regard to the instruments herein described, are typically
based on the perspective of the surgeon using such instruments. The
words "anterior", "posterior", "superior", "inferior", "medial",
"lateral", and related words and/or phrases designate preferred
positions and orientation in the human body to which reference is
made. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives
thereof, and words of similar import.
[0022] In addition, various components may be described herein as
extending horizontally along a longitudinal direction and lateral
direction, and vertically along a transverse direction. Unless
otherwise specified herein, the terms "lateral", "longitudinal",
and "transverse" are used to describe the orthogonal directional
components of various items. It should be appreciated that while
the longitudinal and lateral directions are illustrated as
extending along a horizontal plane, and that the transverse
direction is illustrated as extending along a vertical plane, the
planes that encompass the various directions may differ during use.
Accordingly, the directional terms "vertical" and "horizontal" are
used to describe the components merely for the purposes of clarity
and illustration and are not meant to be limiting.
[0023] Certain examples of the invention will now be described with
reference to the drawings. In general, such embodiments relate to a
surgical cutting device 100 including a saw blade driven through
rotational oscillations. External features of an example surgical
cutting device 100 will first be discussed in reference to FIGS. 1
and 2. FIG. 1 is a right-side elevation of an example surgical
cutting device 100 and FIG. 2 is a plan view of an example drive
head 102 associated with the surgical cutting device 100.
[0024] The surgical cutting device 100 includes the drive head 102
and a handle portion 104. A surgical saw blade 106 is held and
rotatably driven in oscillation through an angle 108 about an axis
of rotation 110. The angle 108 can include any portion of the
radius defined by the rotation surgical saw blade 106 around axis
110. For example, the angle 108 can be equal to a 45-degree segment
such that the surgical saw blade 106 is driven through a 45-degree
angle between the position shown in FIG. 2 in solid lines and a
position indicated by dashed lines 112. Alternately, the drive
mechanism 130 within the drive head 102 can be configured to
oscillate the surgical saw blade 106 in 45-degree increments so
that the surgical saw blade 106 is driven, for example, between the
positions indicated by dashed lines 114 and the position indicated
by dashed lines 116.
[0025] The angle 108 can include semi-circle 122 formed around the
axis 110. The angle 108 and/or the semi-circle 122 can be divided
into segments. The segments can include any portion of the angle
108 defined by the rotation surgical saw blade 106 around axis 110.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the semi-circle 122 can
include four corresponding 45-degree segments 120. The drive head
102 can be configured to drive the surgical saw blade 106 through
each of the four segments 120 around the axis of rotation 110. In a
further example, the angle 108 and/or semi-circle 122 can include
any number of segments 120 around axis 110 and the drive head 102
can be configured to drive the surgical saw blade 106 through each
of the segments 120. In another example, the drive head 102 can be
configured to drive the surgical saw blade 106 continuously through
the entire angle 108 and/or semi-circle 122 defined by the rotation
surgical saw blade 106 around axis 110. In a further example (not
shown), the drive head 102 can be configured to drive the surgical
saw blade through any angle defined by the 360-degree rotation of
the surgical saw blade 106 around axis 110.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the handle portion 104 may extend
outward from axis 110 in the direction of arrow 123. An example
handle portion 104 extends perpendicular to the axis 110. As a
result, each of the segments 120 may have a different angular
relationship about the axis 110 with respect to the handle portion
104. The ability to configure the drive head 102 so that the
surgical saw blade 106 operates within any one of the segments 120
can be used to facilitate reaching different areas within a patient
using the surgical saw blade 106 while holding the handle portion
104 at a fixed location. The handle portion 104 may also include a
control lever 124 in contact with an electrical switch 126
configured to control operation of the drive mechanism 130. For
example, the switch 126 can be used to turn the drive mechanism 130
on and off. The control lever 124 can be used, for example, to
control the drive speed of the saw blade 106.
[0027] The drive mechanism 130 used for producing oscillating
rotation of the surgical saw blade 106 about the axis 110 will now
be discussed in reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a
cross-sectional plan view of the drive head 102 within the surgical
cutting device 100, taken as indicated by section lines 3-3 in FIG.
1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional right side elevation of the drive
head 102, taken as indicated by section lines 4-4 in FIG. 2.
[0028] Within the drive mechanism 130, the continuous rotation of a
drive shaft 132 about a drive axis 133 is converted into an
oscillating rotation of a drive plate 137 about the axis of
rotation 110, which is perpendicular to the drive axis 133. The
drive shaft 132 is driven by a power source. An example power
source can include an electric motor 134 (shown in FIG. 1)
extending into the handle portion 104 from the drive head 102, with
power being provided by a battery pack 135, also within the handle
portion 104. The drive shaft 132 is rotatably mounted within a
housing 136 of the drive head 102. For example, the drive shaft 132
may be mounted using a ball bearing 138. Contamination between the
distal end of the drive mechanism 130 and the space 140 within the
housing 136 is prevented by a seal 142. The seal 142 can include a
spring loaded lip and an o-ring to maintain contact with the
housing 136. The drive plate 137 includes a sleeve 144, which is
mounted to rotate within the housing 136 about the axis 110 by a
pair of ball bearings 146, which are held in place by a retaining
clip 147. The drive plate 137 includes a pair of spaced-apart
contact surfaces 148, between which a roller 150 is disposed, with
the roller 150 being rotatably mounted on an eccentric shaft 152,
which is in turn attached to the drive shaft 132 at a radial
distance 154 from the drive axis 133, so that the drive plate 137
oscillates in rotation as the drive shaft 132 is driven. The drive
shaft 132 can be driven at variable rotational speed. For example,
the rotational speed of the drive shaft 132 can be varied based on
the angle of the control lever 124.
[0029] A locking mechanism 170 for engaging a holding member 172 to
the drive plate 137 at various positions to determine the
particular angle and/or segment 120 through which the saw blade 106
will be driven, as discussed above in reference to FIG. 2, will now
be discussed, with continued reference being made to FIGS. 3 and 4,
and with additional reference being made to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5
is a cross-sectional elevation of the drive head 102, which is
similar to FIG. 4, except that, in FIG. 4, a saw blade holding
mechanism 174 is shown in an open position, allowing the insertion
of a surgical saw blade 106 therein, or its removal therefrom. FIG.
6 is a perspective view of the drive head 102, showing elements
therein in an exploded relationship with one another.
[0030] The holding member 172 is slidably and rotatably attached to
the drive plate 137 by means of a releasing pin 176, with a sliding
connection between the holding member 172 and the releasing pin 176
being formed by a cross pin 177 extending from a first end 178 of
the releasing pin 176 through holes 180 in the releasing pin 176
and through slots 182 in the holding member 172. A sliding and
rotating connection is made between the releasing pin 176 and a
central hole 184 extending through the sleeve 144. The drive plate
137 includes a plurality of grooves 186 arranged in a circular
pattern about the axis 110, while the holding member 172 includes a
plurality of teeth 188, which are arranged in another circular
pattern and configured to engage the grooves 186 when the drive
plate 137 and the holding member 172 are held together, as shown in
FIG. 5. In another example, when the drive plate 137 and the
holding member 172 are held apart, as shown in FIG. 4, the teeth
188 are held out of engagement with the grooves 186, allowing the
holding member to be rotated about the axis 110.
[0031] The locking mechanism 170 is held in the engaged position of
FIG. 5, with the holding member 172 engaging the drive plate 137 by
a compression spring 190 pushing against an outward extending
flange 192, facing in the releasing direction of arrow 196, forming
a portion of the releasing pin 176. The compression spring 190 is
held between a flange 192 and an inward-extending flange 193 within
the central hole 184 of the sleeve 144. The locking mechanism 170
is moved into the released position of FIG. 4 when the user pushes
a button surface, formed at a second end 194 of the releasing pin
176, in the releasing direction of arrow 196. With the locking
mechanism 170 in the released position, the user can rotate the
holding member 172 about the axis 110 to determine the angle and/or
segment 120 (shown in FIG. 2) through which the surgical saw blade
106 is driven. When the second end 194 is then released, the
compression spring 190 pushes the holding member 172 into
engagement with the drive plate 137.
[0032] The grooves 186 and the teeth 188 may be tapered to minimize
an amount of rotational wiggling of the holding member 172 needed
to begin the process of engaging the holding member 172 with the
drive plate 137.
[0033] A saw blade holding mechanism 210 will now be discussed,
with continued reference being made to FIGS. 4-6, and with
additional reference being made to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a
perspective view of the holding member 172, as viewed from below
and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a clamping member 212, shown as
viewed from below. The holding member 172 includes an elongated
slot 214 for holding an elongated shank 216 of the saw blade 106, a
central hole 218, into which the releasing pin 176 extends, and the
transverse slot 182, which is elongated in the releasing direction
of arrow 196, through which the cross pin 177 extends. The rigid
attachment of the elongated shank 216 is supported by a pair of
tabs 223 extending outward as parts of the holding member 172.
[0034] The clamping member 212 includes a pair of holes 222, into
which the cross pin 177 is pressed and a pair of tapered lugs 221
for engaging and holding the elongated shank 216 of the saw blade
106 within apertures 227, 228 thereof. In this way, the clamping
member 212 and the releasing pin 176 are held to one another to
move together, while the holding member 172 can move along the
releasing pin 176 through a distance permitted by the elongation of
slot 182 therein.
[0035] When the saw blade holding mechanism 210 is assembled as
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an upper portion 224 of the holding member
172 is disposed within a cavity 226 in the clamping member 212,
with the tabs 223 extending outward, in the direction of arrow 234,
through a slot 225 in the clamping member 212. The saw blade
holding mechanism 210 is then held in the clamping position of FIG.
5 by the compression spring 190, which additionally holds the
holding member 172 in engagement with the drive plate 137. For
example, the compression spring 190 applies a force acting opposite
the releasing direction of arrow 196 to a flange 192 of the
releasing pin 176, with this force being transmitted through the
releasing pin 176, the cross pin 177, and the clamping member 212
to apply a force to the elongated shank 216 of the surgical saw
blade 106.
[0036] To remove the saw blade 106 from the saw blade holding
mechanism 210, the user pushes the second end 194 at the end of the
releasing pin 176 in the releasing direction of arrow 196, moving
the clamping member 212 into the open position shown in FIG. 4.
Since the clamping member 212 is attached to the releasing pin 176
by the cross pin 177 extending through round holes 222, the
clamping member 212 moves with the releasing pin 176 as the user
pushes on the second end 194. In another example, since the holding
member 172 is attached to the releasing pin 176 by the cross pin
177 extending through the slotted holes 182, the holding member 172
may move with the clamping member 212 during its entire movement in
the releasing direction of arrow 196. Otherwise, the holding member
172 may remain engaged with the drive plate 137 during a first part
of the movement of the clamping member 212 in the releasing
direction of arrow 196, with the holding member 172 then beginning
to move in the releasing direction of arrow 196 when the moving
cross pin 177 contacts an end 236 of the each slotted hole 182. In
either case, the holding member 172 is moved completely out of
engagement with the drive plate 137, with the teeth 188 being held
apart from the grooves 186. Then, while retaining pressure on the
second end 194 of the releasing pin 176 to hold the clamping member
212 in the open position of FIG. 4, the user moves the saw blade
106 opposite the releasing direction of arrow 196 so that the
apertures 227, 228 within the saw blade shank 216 are moved away
from the lugs 221 within the clamping member 212, allowing the saw
blade 106 to be then removed by being pulled outward in the
direction of arrow 234.
[0037] To insert the surgical saw blade 106 within the saw blade
holding mechanism 210, the user again pushes the second end 194 of
the releasing pin 176 in the releasing direction of arrow 196. For
example, the saw blade holding mechanism 210 is constructed so
that, even when the clamping member 212 and the holding member 172
270 are held together, a slot opening 240 remains, allowing the
insertion of the elongated shank 216 to begin the insertion of the
saw blade 106. As the saw blade 106 is then moved inward, opposite
the direction of arrow 234, a proximal end 242 of the elongated
shank 216 and a strap 244 between the apertures 227, 228 within the
elongated shank 216 move along the slanted surfaces 246 of the lugs
221, the elongated shank 216 is pushed 275 opposite the releasing
direction of arrow 196 by contact with these slanted surfaces 246,
moving the holding member 172 out of the way if necessary. The
elongated shank 216 is then been moved inward, opposite the
direction of arrow 234 as far as possible, with the proximal end
242 being moved against an internal surface 248 of the clamping
member 212, with the apertures 226, 227 then being aligned with the
lugs 221. When the 280 user then releases pressure on the second
end 194 of the releasing pin 176, the compression spring 190 moves
the clamping member 212 and the holding member 172 opposite the
releasing direction of arrow 196, with the elongated shank 216 is
clamped between the clamping member 212 and the holding member 172,
and the lugs 221 are held within the apertures 227, 228. This
movement of the holding member 172 opposite 285 the releasing
direction of arrow 196 engages the teeth 188 in the holding member
172 into the grooves 186 within the drive plate 137. It may be
necessary for the user to wiggle the holding member 172 in rotation
about the axis 110 to achieve proper engagement. Rotation of the
holding member 172 about the axis 110 may be used to determine
which of the angles and/or segments 120 (shown in FIG. 2) defines
the angle 290 through which the saw blade 106 will be driven.
[0038] Various characteristics of the surgical saw blade 106 and of
alternative saw blades will now be explained, with reference being
made to FIGS. 9-13. FIGS. 9-11 show the surgical saw blade 106.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of an example surgical saw blade 106, FIG. 10
is a side elevation, and FIG. 11 is an end elevation. FIG. 12 is a
plan view of another example saw blade 260. FIG. 13 is a plan view
of a further example saw blade 262.
[0039] In accordance with the invention, each of the saw blades
106, 260, 262 include a blade portion 264 and an elongated shank
216, having a proximal end 242, straight elongated sides 266, a
distal aperture 227 and a proximal aperture 228. These features are
symmetrical about a straight line of symmetry 263. Preferably, the
distal aperture 227 includes a convex curved surface 268 closest to
the blade portion 264. The curvature of the convex curved surface
268 can reduce a level of concentration of flexural stresses
occurring during operation of the surgical cutting device 100.
[0040] A plurality of surgical saw blades, such as the saw blades
106, 260, 262, may be provided for alternative use within the
surgical cutting device 100. The differences among the saw blades
106, 260, 262 occur within their respective blade portions 264. The
elongated shanks 216 of saw blades 106, 260, 262 may be identical,
each configured to fit tightly within the saw blade holding
mechanism 210 as described above. A distal end 267 of each of the
blade portions 264 includes a plurality of saw teeth 269, arranged
along an arc 270 having a length 272 disposed at a radius 274 about
an arcuate axis 276 within the elongated shank 216. When the
elongated shank 216 is inserted into the saw blade locking
mechanism 170, the arcuate axis 276 is aligned with the rotation
110. For example, the saw blades 106, 260 and 262 differ from one
another in having different arcuate lengths 272 and/or radii
274.
[0041] Using the surgical cutting device 100 the process of
changing saw blades 106 during a surgical procedure is greatly
simplified. With the surgical cutting device 100, the user need
only insert the elongated shank 216 into the elongated slot 214.
Moreover, the saw blades 106 are narrower than previous designs
leading to less material use, lower processing time, and less
storage, resulting, ultimately, in a cost savings to the user.
While the foregoing description and drawings represent examples of
the present invention, it will be understood that various
additions, modifications, combinations and/or substitutions may be
made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention as defined in the accompanying claims. In
particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the
present invention may be embodied in other specific forms,
structures, arrangements, proportions, and with other elements,
materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or
essential characteristics thereof. One skilled in the art will
appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications
of structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, and components
and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are
particularly adapted to specific environments and operative
requirements without departing from the principles of the present
invention. In addition, features described herein may be used
singularly or in combination with other features. The presently
disclosed examples are, therefore, to be considered in all respects
as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention
being indicated by the appended claims and not limited to the
foregoing description.
[0042] In addition, the various examples disclosed herein may be
adapted for use in virtually any interior body region where the
formation and/or augmentation of a cavity within tissue is required
for a therapeutic or diagnostic purpose. While several examples are
herein described with regard to treating bones, other examples can
be used in other interior body regions as well. In addition, it is
also anticipated that certain examples could be used for purposes
other than medical, such as construction, manufacturing, and
excavation, among others; accordingly, nothing herein is intended
to limit application of the various examples to purely medical
uses.
[0043] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes could be made to the examples described above without
departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is
understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the
particular examples disclosed, but it is intended to cover
modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention,
as defined by the following claims.
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